Towing device for use with ships



01v. USBORNE.

TOWING DEVICE FOR USE WITH SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1919.

1 40,924, Patented May 25, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.-

I nvmtor.\

c. v. USBORNEL;

TOWING DEVICE FOR USE WL'TH SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILE?) DEC. 2211919.

Patented May 25,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

arent FFICEI UNITED STATE CECIL VIVIAN U$BOIRNE, O13 WESTMINSTER, LONDON, ENGLAND,

TOWING DEVICE FDR USE WITH SHIPS.

Original application filed. February 2, 1918, Serial No. 215,221.

Serial No. 348,729.

new and useful Improvements in Towing.

Devices for Use with Ships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to towing devices for application to the stems of ships for the purpose of attaching a line or cable serving to tow submerged bodies such as are used for the protection of ships from moored mines or other bodies.

According to this invention the towing device consists of a shoe adapted to fit over upon the stem and stem bar of the ship and to be raised and lowered into the required position.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood and more readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a part sectional plan, and Figs. 2 and 8 part sectional, front and side elevations respectively of the sliding shoe.

The shoe comprises a section bar bent or otherwise shaped. to have an easy fit on the stem 37 and stem bar 38 of the ship. The shoe is adapted to be raised and lowered by means of chains 39 which are shackled to the shoe and taken to a capstan, winch, or other winding gear on the ship. The shoe at its outer extremity is provided with enlargements, flanges, or the like 35' provided with apertures 40 to receive a shackle to which the towing wire is connected. To enable the shoe to be suspended horizontally on the bow of the ship when pulled up above the water, and not in use, short lengths of chain 41 are fitted to carry Specification-0f Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Divided and this application filed Decemthe weight of the after part of the shoe. These length come slack when the shoe is in its working position.

The portions of the shoe engaging the stem of the ship are preferably outwardly flared as shown at 35 for ease in working up and down.

The working position of the shoe is arranged so that the point of attachment of the towing wires is kept as low down as the construction of the ship permits.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A towing device for ships, comprising a member of rigid material shaped to fit over the stem and stem bar of a ship and adapted to provide means for attachment of the towing line to the 'bow of the ship and means for raising and lowering the said member over the stem of the ship, for the purpose specified.

2. Atowing device for ships, comprising a sliding shoe shaped so as to fit slidably over the stem and stem bar of the ship and to provide means for attachment of the towing line and means for raising and lowering the said shoe over the stem of the ship for the purpose specified.

3. A towing device for ships, comprising a sliding shoe shaped so as to fit slidably over the stem and stem bar of the ship and to provide means for attachment of the tow ing line and supporting lines by which the said shoe may be held in position on the stem and raised or lowered as required.

4. A towing device for ships, comprising a sliding shoe consisting of a section bar bent at an angle so as to fit over the stem and stem bar of the ship, the said member having its extremities flared outwardly for easy engagement of the stem.

CECIL VIVIAN USBORNE. 

